Aerospace plan in progress

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is on track to become a global aerospace player by 2015 in line with the primary target of the country's National Aerospace Blueprint.

Launched in 1997, the blueprint was prepared by the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (Might).

Its senior vice-president, Might Industry Intelligence, Datuk Kamarulzaman Zainal said since the formation of the steering body, the Malaysian Aerospace Council (MAC) in 2001, the industry had rapidly expanded to post annual growths of between 6% and 7%.

“In respect of implementing the proposals contained in the National Aerospace Blueprint, we have completed 80%, and are on track to attain the goal of becoming an important global player. This is due to the emergence of local companies which are gaining prominence in the field. It is also supported by four key segments, namely, services maintenance, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), manufacture of aeronautical aircraft components and systems integration, as well as human capital training and development,” he told Bernama.

He said overall, the industry last year recorded an income of RM30.2bil, with 65,000 jobs having been successfully created to date.

Kamarulzaman said for the MRO sector, an income of RM5bil was recorded by industry players, close to the RM8bil target in 2015, while for the manufacture of aircraft components, about 8,000 workers with a variety of skills and 1,500 engineers are expected to be produced.

“For aeronautics and systems integration, we have set the key performance index such that local companies can effectively expand and compete at the top tier from their present second spot. For human capital training and development in the aerospace industry, we have set no targets in respect of income, but have projected for it to become a regional centre,” he added.

Commenting further, he said the sectors are also the key focus of Might in creating high-income job opportunities, alongside technopreneurs.

To further strengthen the industry, Might, as the secretariat to the MAC, would sponsor an industry forum at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2013) from March 26-30.

It would focus on the development of logistics based on performance, with a representative of Boeing as the main speaker.

“This year, Might's participation would be more towards the dissemination of information and also the sharing of experience, as well as the latest information related to the aerospace industry,” said Kamarulzaman.

At LIMA 2013, Might is also expected to sign seven memoranda of understanding with industry partners and research institutes, in initiatives involving human capital development, investments and entrepreneur opportunities.

Last year, RM2.4bil in foreign direct investment was recorded, with 40% contributed by international players. - Bernama